Theoretically grounding management history as a relevant and valuable form of knowledge

Theoretically grounding management history as a relevant and valuable form of knowledge
Paula Phillips Carson; Kerry D. Carson
1998-03-01 00:00:00
Despite interest in management’s evolution, the discipline is devoid of systematic frameworks addressing historiography. Hence, Hirst’s (1965) theory of “forms of knowledge” is applied to demonstrate that management history satisfies his four criteria and qualifies as a valuable research domain. Hirst’s first criterion states that there must be certain central concepts that are distinctive to the subject. Management historians fulfill this criterion by investigating not only specific people, events and trends, but also topics such as motives and linguistics. Second, Hirst suggests that the discipline must offer distinctive ways of relating concepts. Management historians follow a unique investigatory process using three steps: investigation, synthesis, and interpretation. Third, there must be characteristic ways of adducing evidence in support of propositions. Historians define and refine by the available facts. The fourth criterion states that there be utilization of characteristic techniques for conducting investigations. Example methodologies include biographies and oral history. A fifth criterion, examining history’s pragmatic utility, is then advanced.
http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.pngJournal of Management History (Archive)Emerald Publishinghttp://www.deepdyve.com/lp/emerald-publishing/theoretically-grounding-management-history-as-a-relevant-and-valuable-uoOPqFXWDf

Theoretically grounding management history as a relevant and valuable form of knowledge

Abstract

Despite interest in management’s evolution, the discipline is devoid of systematic frameworks addressing historiography. Hence, Hirst’s (1965) theory of “forms of knowledge” is applied to demonstrate that management history satisfies his four criteria and qualifies as a valuable research domain. Hirst’s first criterion states that there must be certain central concepts that are distinctive to the subject. Management historians fulfill this criterion by investigating not only specific people, events and trends, but also topics such as motives and linguistics. Second, Hirst suggests that the discipline must offer distinctive ways of relating concepts. Management historians follow a unique investigatory process using three steps: investigation, synthesis, and interpretation. Third, there must be characteristic ways of adducing evidence in support of propositions. Historians define and refine by the available facts. The fourth criterion states that there be utilization of characteristic techniques for conducting investigations. Example methodologies include biographies and oral history. A fifth criterion, examining history’s pragmatic utility, is then advanced.

Journal

Journal of Management History (Archive)
– Emerald Publishing

Published: Mar 1, 1998

Keywords: Biography; Business history; History; Management

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References

Errata Assumed

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A (Vague) Sense of History

Alter, J.,; Denworth, L.

An Introduction to Archival Research in Business History

Armstrong, J.

The Modern Researcher

Barzun, J.,; Graff, H. F

Has History a Future?

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Management Laureates: A Collection of Autobiographical Essays

Bedeian, A. G. (ed.)

Explicating the Past: In Praise of History

Bermejo‐Barrera, J. C.

Archival Theory and Practice in the United States: A Historical Analysis

Berner, R. C.

Objectivity in History

Bevir, M.

Allan Nevins on History

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Small Business in America: A Historiographic Survey

Blackford, M. G.

What Is History

Carr, E. H.

Analytical Philosophy of History

Danto, A. C.

History in the Curriculum: Debate on Aims and Values

Fitzgerald, J.

History Tomorrow

Gardiner, J.

Data Dredging or Legitimate Research Method? Historiography and Its Potential for Management Research